Hey guys, my name is Shawn and I have been running track on and off for two years, in highschool. I am a sprinter, if that matters to any of you. I've always been generally faster and healthier, never had any problems to be honest until last year. Last year I got diagnosed with plantar fascitis, posterior tibial tendinitis, and tibial tendinitis. It was TERRIBLE. I could barely walk at some points. I took of the whole summer of running... I got custom orthotics, more supportive shoes,thinking ; wow this will totally work! I didn't run much because I focused more on my legs healing... thinking throughout this whole summer they will get better from my beautiful orthotics my doctor has prescribed to me! Fast forward three months, into the winter track season with TIGHT AS Fawwkkk tibias, thinking shin splints will come soon. I performed very well my sophomore year so the coaches know my issues and they basically allow me to stop running whenever I need to, but I need some advice by some fellow runners.
WHAT should I do? Recently I have been trying to walk around barefoot more, stretching more, to strengthen my feet / legs more naturally. There is NO way I'm going back to the orthotics. Regarding running ~ should I do full - out workouts? When I do the full sprinting workouts I am usuaully wearing neutral shoes now (Only did one so far... tibia got tight so I quit it early) I was thinking of doing some barefoot jogging on the turf before it gets extremely cold and impossible to run on the turf.
What are your opinions? Do I stop running and focus on strengthening + mobility or should I run only one or at most two workouts a week, while doing the strengthening, and everything else? thanks.